Blogs We Love: Gary Pepper

By Francheska N. Quiñones

Everyday we search for fresh new inspirations to give that extra allure to our personal style.  Whether it is out on the street, magazines or traveling, we are on the quest to fill up the quench of mode that is missing.  These years the blogging business has boomed with savvy fashion seekers expressing their minds, in clothes that is.  Since there are so many brilliant bloggers, throughout the weeks I am going to share with you the most captivating individuals who bring that pizazz!

Say Bonjour to Nicole Warne from Gary Pepper Vintage.  This charming Australian native, aside from being an eminent blogger, also runs her own online vintage shop.  With a fantastic selection of closet finds she creates a chameleonesque style that suits her cherubic visage.  A handful of her “go to” staples are always in the crisp and clean section of choices.  Nicole, who brings a touch of classic elegance to her outfits, is always on trend by adding funky prints or quirky clutches to seal up the look.  Photos of fashion shoots, shows, and behind the scenes exclusives are always posted on her page letting the readers have a taste of what her life and industry is about.  

In addition to showing off her personal style she shares photography taken by her talented (and ever so handsome) boyfriend, Luke Shadbolt.  Sharing with us travel logs, beautiful landscapes and pastel beaches Gary Pepper is much more than a style blog: it’s a diary of her exuberant and glamorous adventures in an enviable chic attire.   

Lisa Thon "Naif" f/w 2013

By Francheska N. Quiñones

Various designers are all about the recognition of the masterful art they have created;  then, at times we are graced with others whose awareness divert to the helpless mortals who have suffered in disastrous misfortunes.  Transmitting the love she so freely gives into her creations, Lisa Thon has not forgotten the tragedies which ruptured Haiti.    Celebrating the lives that have been saved her f/w 2013 collection was held in honor of the doctors and volunteers that made a difference.  As a very pleasant gesture all the proceeds were given to the “Haití se Pone de Pie” foundation. 

Held in the glamourous Antiguo Casino de Puerto Rico, Lisa Thon’s f/w 2013 collection, “Naif” brought vivid shades for fall.  The motif of this collection was influenced by the ingenious art movement during the 20th century.  Artists from the era restored the spontaneity in life by liven their eyes with brilliant colors in which they contrast with the elegant sable tinges.  Lisa Thon incorporated rich tones with simplistic fabrics conveying the Haitian breeze.  In spite of the various garments that embodied the island chic version of fall, the high collared silk and tulle dresses were factors already seen in previous collections.  Men’s cotton shirts done in paisley blues and geometric neons were the dominant prints who sparked an interest to the viewing eye.  The designs, both for men and women were short of innovation but the gem colored tints made up for that small factor.

Models walked down the marble floor in black and gold metallic shoes from Novus and subtle tribal inspired accessories by Erika Peña.  A fresh face was given to the walking beauties with the help of master make-up artist, Lio Maldonado.  These elements tied up Lisa Thon’s vision of her “Naif” collection by bringing a balance of refinement and subtlety.

All images by Daniela Paola

Can I Have That? - Star Trek Style

By Francheska N. Quiñones

Get the intergalactic style adapted for the modern Trekkie.

1.Cut Out Shirt

2.Metallic Structured Jacket

3.Silver Crew Necklace

4.High Waisted Disco Pants

5.Pandora Box Clutch

6.Hepcat Shades

7.Steel Heeled Ankle Boots

MATTEmatters: Black Up!

By Marcela Filomena

I've been flirting with this blog post for weeks now, gathering material without finding the specific way to bring it all together.  While skin color in Puerto Rico is a touchy subject, as it is all over the world, the subject is especially controversial in fashion; see Numéro's African Queen, Vogue Italia's Haute Mess, D & G's African Woman earrings, to name only a few examples. The aim this week is to explore representations of blackness in media, from sexual exploitation to Africa's youth culture movement. 

film - Heading South starts off in an airport in late 1970's Haiti, an older woman offering her fifteen-year-old daughter to a well-groomed black man in a suit.  The scene is disturbing, emotionally charged, and sets the mood perfectly for what's to come.  The film follows the story of four middle-aged white women who travel every year to a resort hotel in Haiti, looking for the sexual company of young black men.  In a twist on this week's theme Laurent Cantet explores the young black buck/sex-starved white woman stereotype, tenderly and intelligently portraying the complex exploitative relationship between the women and their prey.  Keep an eye out for the startling monologues from Karen Young and the eternally sexy Charlotte Rampling.

art - Born in Nairobi, trained in Wales and now a resident of Brooklyn, Wangechi Mutu is considered to be one of the most significant contemporary African artists.  Her work explores the dichotomy between the hyper-sexualization of black women and the African woman portrayed as tribal, ethnic and primitive.  Working primarily in collages, she draws the viewer into a discussion about colonialism, race, gender, beauty and consumerism. 

design - Of mixed Haitian and Italian heritage, designer Stella Jean combines impeccable tailoring and styling with African waxed fabrics in 50's and 60's ultra-feminine silhouettes. Quite consciously a daughter of the First Free Black Republic; she'll pair a European striped shirt with a studded gelé and a New Look skirt or slouchy pants with a Matrimonio all'italiana tee.  Recently, she has begun exploring waxing other fabrics, such as campy Hawaiian prints and Scottish tartans. 

music - Shabazz Palaces.  What can I say?  They're a Seattle-based experimental hip-hop collective whose rhymes recall Van Dyke Parks' haunting lyricism.  Incorporating muscular African rhythms into a lean and warped musical landscape, Ishmael Butler throws out traditional verse-chorus structures in favor of unpredictable movement and divergent chants.  This is the hip-hop we need, not fronting pseudo-gangster braggadocio.  Check out the video for Are You... Can You... Were You? (Felt). For a preview of their whole album via a short film, partly shot in Puerto Rico, click here.

item - With more than half the population in many African nations under 25, Okayafrica is a hub for Africa's New Wave; featuring music, fashion, film, news, and events.  Take some time and check out the boom in a youth culture that blends traditional aesthetics with a forward-facing lifestyle.